Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg serves as the Chairman of Spitzberg Partners LLC, a global investment and advisory firm based in New York.
Zu Guttenberg holds the position of Distinguished Statesman at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and has acted as a Senior Advisor to the European Commission. He is a member of various corporate and nonprofit boards and advisory groups, including Edelman, BDT Capital, Barrick Gold, Samsung, Ripple, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and Clocktower Technology Ventures.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is recognized as one of Europe’s most prominent politicians. In 2009, he was appointed Minister of Economy and Technology and subsequently served as Minister of Defense in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Lecture Topics
- Inflation, energy transition & geopolitical changes: Quo Vadis Germany & Europe?
- USA, China, Russia & Middle East: Europe facing an uncertain future
- The Middle East powder keg and its effects on Europe
- USA & Europe: The transatlantic alliance
- Russia, China & threats from the East: Future defense policy
- ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, new technologies & fake news: the threat from the internet
As a Distinguished Statesman at CSIS in Washington, he leads a prominent initiative to foster transatlantic dialogue on political, economic, and financial matters. Since December 2011, Freiherr zu Guttenberg has also been a senior advisor to the EU’s No Disconnect Strategy Commission, offering strategic guidance to Internet users, bloggers, and cyber activists in authoritarian regimes.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was Germany’s youngest Minister of Economics and Technology.
He was a Bundestag member from 2002 to 2011 and served on the Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2008. As Defense Minister, he oversaw significant structural reforms of the German armed forces. Freiherr zu Guttenberg has authored numerous articles on foreign, economic, and security policy.
Freiherr zu Guttenberg was considered one of Angela Merkel’s key performers in her cabinet. The occasionally controversial politician offers unique perspectives on global affairs, foreign policy, economics, and security. His deep understanding of technology and practical experience in European Internet policy make him a sought-after commentator on technology development and Internet use. Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg is a dynamic speaker and highly requested commentator at major national and international events.
Who is Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg?
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is a German politician, entrepreneur, and consultant. He was affiliated with the CSU and served as Germany’s Minister of Economics and later as Minister of Defense from 2009 to 2011, resigning due to a plagiarism scandal involving his doctoral thesis. After leaving German politics, he founded the consulting firm Spitzberg Partners in New York and has been active in various economic and geopolitical areas. He also works as a speaker, documentary host, and podcast creator.
Since 2023, he has co-hosted the podcast Gysi gegen Guttenberg – Der Deutschland Podcast with Gregor Gysi, where they engage in provocative discussions on current political topics.
